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Welcome

Welcome

CWU offers a campus atmosphere where everyone feels like they belong — a place where people feel at home.

Admissions

Admissions

It’s easy to apply at CWU, and our team of professionals can walk you through everything you need to know.

Academics

Academics

CWU features more than 135 degree programs, and we are recognized nationally in a variety of key disciplines.

About

About

CWU serves more than 10,000 students every year, priding ourselves on accessibility, affordability, and personability.

Student Services

Student Services

Student success is our top priority, and CWU’s staff and faculty go out of their way to put people on a path to greatness.

Get Involved

Get Involved

Activities abound across the CWU campus, with clubs, internships, employment opportunities, and NCAA athletic programs.

McNair Scholars

Program Overview

Academic

  • Graduate & proposal writing prep courses during your junior and senior years.
  • Up to a $2800 Research Fellowship stipend; and up to $1400 on-campus room and board support during the Summer Research Program.
    •   -Research Stipends are divided up & distributed five times throughout the summer.
    •   -Housing Stipends are divided up & distributed two times throughout the summer.
  • Travel assistance to present research at local, regional, and national conferences.

Graduate School

  • Over 200 universities waive graduate school application fees and/or other opportunities for McNair Scholars. The Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) curates an Excel list.
  • Guidance through the entire graduate school application process, including visits to regional graduate schools.
  • Skills review and test-taking strategies for graduate admissions exams (i.e. GRE).
  • GRE description

Additional Benefits

The intangible value of networking with other first-generation and underrepresented students who understand the challenges you face as you pursue your Ph.D. degree!

 

Overview of Class Sequence for Students Participating in the Program

First Year Second Year

Fall Quarter

  • Take MCNA 301 - Introduction to the McNair Program (1 credit);
  • Take the GRE pre-test exam;
  • Attend the Program Orientation; and
  • Identify and set up meeting with faculty mentor to discuss research ideas.

Fall Quarter

  • Take the GRE (if not yet done);
  • Arrange and participate in graduate school visit(s);
  • Apply to graduate schools and for scholarships/fellowships;
  • Prepare research for presentation;
  • Meet with McNair Staff; and
  • Take MCNA 303 - Completing The Graduate School Application (1 credit)

Winter Quarter

  • Take MCNA 395 - UG Research Methods (2 credits);
  • Meet weekly with your faculty mentor;
  • Write research proposal, submit to mentor and to McNair Office; and
  • Meet with McNair Staff.

Winter Quarter

  • Prepare abstract for SOURCE (discuss with research mentor),
  • Follow-up on graduate school applications, and
  • Meet with McNair Staff.

Spring Quarter

  • MCNA 302 - Finding a Graduate School (1 credit);
  • Edit and re-submit final research proposal for review;
  • Meet with McNair Staff;
  • Identify potential conference(s) to attend;
  • Arrange graduate school visits;
  • Attend SOURCE (usually in 3rd week of May); and
  • Attend the McNair Recognition Banquet.

Spring Quarter

  • Submit abstract to SOURCE & prepare presentation/ poster/ performance;
  • Participate in SOURCE and attend SOURCE banquet;
  • Attend the McNair Recognition Banquet;
  • Complete online Exit Interview; and
  • Finalize Graduate School plans.

Summer Quarter

  • Attend GRE Bootcamp;
  • Attend Grad School Prep Retreat including Etiquette Dinner;
  • Participate in Faculty-Mentored Research and complete final research paper; and
  • Visit grad schools.
 GRADUATION!!!

 

Take the Next Step to Becoming a Wildcat.

Admissions@cwu.edu